The Official 370Z Autocross Thread

[AutoX Z]

So I just went to my first event yesturday in the Z and had one of the best days of autox ever. I'm stepping up from a 100 whp front wheel drive Mazda Protege5 to the Z so I still have alot of adjusting to do in my driving but first time out the Z did amazing. Good enough to take 1st in BS by almost a full second and also win AS.

My competition was the local hotshoe RX-8 who was running on street tires that day both cars were equal in that respect. The course was very wide open with plenty of room to really use the power so the RX-8 was definitely at a disadvantage there but so far all signs point to the Z being more than competitive and possibly dominant in BS.

So lets get the conversation going and start sharing some advice and experience. Anybody that's been out at an autox in their z regardless of experience feel free to chime in.

PS it was very hot out there but starting from 220*F the Z only spiked up to 240* at the end of a 50 second run and was cooled back down to 220* after a short rest in the pits. Basically you definitely do not have to worry about overheating issues at autox.

PPS Here's a picture of the car and a video of my winning run (my best run actually came later but did not count for BS standings).



Video

[Brazilbro]

looks great! i waanta try auto X, im just afraid id get lost in the cones, do u get a few practice runs? do u walk the track first?

[AK370Z]

Sweet video. I have def enjoyed it!

Btw, this isn't you, is it? 370z takes 1st place at SC SCCA autocross

[AutoX Z]

Originally Posted by Brazilbro

looks great! i waanta try auto X, im just afraid id get lost in the cones, do u get a few practice runs? do u walk the track first?

Personally I think autox is something that everyone should try atleast once. I understand it's not for everyone but it is a great, safe environment to really learn about your car and your driving abilities.

You do get to walk the course before you run it but you do not technically get practice runs. The hardest thing for new people is always remembering where the course goes. There a many things you can do to try and imprint it in your head better, walk it multiple times, study the course map, get a ride with another driver, but really the most important thing for new people to remember is to take it easy for a few runs and get comfortable on course before going 10/10ths.

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Sweet video. I have def enjoyed it!

Btw, this isn't you, is it? 370z takes 1st place at SC SCCA autocross

And no that is not me, this past weekend was my first time out in the Z, good to see there are a few other people out there autox'ing though.

[minnichs]

Originally Posted by Brazilbro

looks great! i waanta try auto X, im just afraid id get lost in the cones, do u get a few practice runs? do u walk the track first?

I also want to try it. How do you get started? Are there any places in the PA or MD area? Any info. would be helpful.

[AutoX Z]

Originally Posted by minnichs

I also want to try it. How do you get started? Are there any places in the PA or MD area? Any info. would be helpful.

The best place to start would be by finding your local SCCA region. Here's the link where you can find that information:

SCCA - Sports Car Club of America

There is a good chance there are other car clubs in the area that put on autox events but I can almost guarantee that the SCCA club will be the most organized and safe.

In general events start at 730-800 in the morning and you will need to be there till 4 or 5pm. Entry fees are usually around $30 and you'll get at least runs at most events. Naturally the fewer people there the more run's you'll get. That's the basic information, I'd contact your local region for more questions since they all run slightly different depending on their size and the types of venues they use.

Oh and if anyone in the Houston area wants to give it a try let me know and we can meet up at the next event.

[IMWEZL]

I just recently had my first Autocross event with my 370Z. Big difference going from an SM Dodge Neon SRT4 running Hoosiers to a stock 370Z. My times sucked, however that was a driver issues.

I asked a fellow 370Z owner (didn't race/purchased the night prior) who gets FTD more often than not to drive my car. He knocked 3 seconds off my best official run on the first lap. His vids are on my youtube too.

My overall experience was that I could be more aggressive with the car. I did understeer a few times and drifted around a few turns. My best times came with the VDC on. My weakness was the slalom. I never had a good feel as to how big the car was as I entered and exited the slalom.

Here's one of the vids. Not sure why the quality looks crappy I recorded on 1080 HD.

[RedDragon]

I am a novice autocrosser - I've taken my 370 out only twice. I have had an experience both times that is puzzling. After several runs, I turned the VDC OFF. However, on my first run with the VDC OFF each time, I spun out. I think this happened because I was getting a feel for the car's limits with the VDC ON, but when I turned the it OFF, I pushed the car too far. Does anyone else have any experience autocrossing with the VDC On and OFF?

Also, after the fateful spin outs, the car reacted very weird. After spinning out, for the rest of the run, the car did not respond to acceleration. I gave it gas and it revved up, but the car wouldn't barely go. It was very strange. After I finished the run I returned to the grid and turned off the ignition. After restarting for my next run, the car was back to normal. If anyone has any insight on this, please share. Thanks.

[IMWEZL]

I think if you turn the car off VDC resets. I didn't spin with VDC off but on one of my Runs I drifted throughout the whole turn.

With the VDC off I had to be mindful of when I hit the gas, usually it was too soon and too much.

[boardkat]

anybody found a lightweight sport pkg-equivalent BS-legal wheel set yet? my understanding is that the the stock sport pkg wheels are 19x9 +47 23.2lbs (front) and 19x10 +30 23.8lbs (rear).

as for tires, how about the 295f/315r A6's mounting up on the stock wheels? isley, you lurking here yet?

[AutoX Z]

Originally Posted by boardkat

anybody found a lightweight sport pkg-equivalent BS-legal wheel set yet? my understanding is that the the stock sport pkg wheels are 19x9 +47 23.2lbs (front) and 19x10 +30 23.8lbs (rear).

as for tires, how about the 295f/315r A6's mounting up on the stock wheels? isley, you lurking here yet?

I have yet to find a wheel that is lighter than stock and in the same sizes. Almost everything out there is 19x9.5 and 19.10.5 for whatever reason. I am also doubtful that those tire sizes will fit or be good on the stock wheels. It would be ideal to run 275/305 in my mind but those don't exist.


Also for everyone else.. Never autox with the VDC on, it robs you of and unbelievable amount of power. Turn it off and learn to drive, remember the throttle is not an on/off switch. Try and feed it in slowly as you exit the corner and feel for the amount of grip you have.

[boardkat]

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

I have yet to find a wheel that is lighter than stock and in the same sizes. Almost everything out there is 19x9.5 and 19.10.5 for whatever reason. I am also doubtful that those tire sizes will fit or be good on the stock wheels. It would be ideal to run 275/305 in my mind but those don't exist.

not surprised to have a limited aftermarket. hopefully we'll start seeing some more choices in the near future. as for tires, i've seen both 285 V710's and 295 A6's square on the 350Z, and grip is fantastic. those are on 18x8/18x8.5 though. 295/315 is as close to ideal, given the choices that currently exist the way i see it, especially with 9 and 10" wide wheels. of course, this is coming from someone that runs 225/45/15 on 15x6's currently, and planned on moving to 275/35/15 on the same 6" wide wheels, lol.

excited to see what happens in vail next weekend

[controller]

Originally Posted by boardkat

not surprised to have a limited aftermarket. hopefully we'll start seeing some more choices in the near future. as for tires, i've seen both 285 V710's and 295 A6's square on the 350Z, and grip is fantastic. those are on 18x8/18x8.5 though. 295/315 is as close to ideal, given the choices that currently exist the way i see it, especially with 9 and 10" wide wheels. of course, this is coming from someone that runs 225/45/15 on 15x6's currently, and planned on moving to 275/35/15 on the same 6" wide wheels, lol.

excited to see what happens in vail next weekend

How are you getting your tires to the track? I seriously doubt 4 wheels/tires will fit in the cabin of a 370, and there are no trailer hitch options yet.

I don't have a 370z yet, but I want to race in BS and drive to the track without having to rely on someone to carry my tires.

[IMWEZL]

Originally Posted by controller

How are you getting your tires to the track?

I think he is talking about his ITR.

[boardkat]

Originally Posted by IMWEZL

I think he is talking about his ITR.

in my ITR, yes, i can cram 10 r-comps in there that's one thing i'm definitely going to miss!!

as for the hitch, a 350z guy up here had one fab'd up a few years back. hoping the same can be done for the 370z. time will tell i guess!